Chapter 941: Chapter 938: The Early Bird Gets the Worm, but the Bigger Bird Comes After

The night sky is like ink, with a waning moon hanging high. Moonlight filters through thin clouds, casting shadows that appear mysterious and enigmatic.

In the courtyard, Luo Feng sits cross-legged in the bubbling Yin Heavy Water, with Emperor Yan’s Sky-breaking Saber sheathed on his lap, steam rising from his head as he meditates, entering a state of emptiness and self-forgetfulness.

In the pitch dark Yin Heavy Water, the star-like light points are no longer visible. Occasionally, one appears and immediately enters Luo Feng’s body, disappearing without a trace.

When all the light points have completely vanished, Luo Feng suddenly opens his cold, sharp eyes.

"Slash!"

His gaze is like a knife, and the Emperor Yan’s Sky-breaking Saber on Luo Feng’s knee unsheathes silently. In the dark courtyard, a flash of white light streaks by, swift as lightning, disappearing into the sky.

Above, a large mass of clouds splits in half, revealing an extremely fine crack stretching thousands of meters, with clouds on both sides unable to reconnect, seemingly blocked by an invisible force.

"The Spring Breeze-as-Heart-Wills Saber has finally reached the ’Unsheathed Saber without Sound’ state."

Inserting Emperor Yan’s Sky-breaking Saber back into its sheath, Luo Feng exhales slowly, his eyes filled with delight.

All day long, besides training in the Yin Heavy Water, he has been practicing the Spring Breeze-as-Heart-Wills Saber. Finally, he has achieved small success, achieving the truly soundless unsheathing, capable of killing without a sound.

Looking up at the split clouds in the sky, Luo Feng’s eyes sparkled with brilliance.

The Spring Breeze-as-Heart-Wills Saber has three levels, and Unsheathed Saber without Sound is just the first level, yet its power is formidable.

Luo Feng has confidence that in a surprise attack, Martial Artists at the early stage of the Four Spirit Rotations eighth level would find it hard to resist, and even those at the mid-stage of the eighth level would get injured.

It’s known that Lu Zhao, as a Swordsman, relied on this Spring Breeze-as-Heart-Wills Saber to break into the top forty of the new dragon list, showing the saber technique’s undeniable power.

Luo Feng speculates that the Spring Breeze-as-Heart-Wills Saber is very likely of mid-grade Earth level, if not high-grade.

His ink-black eyes glance at the Yin Heavy Water, which is now completely void of light points. After three days, the medicine’s power of Yuan Spirit Liquid has been fully absorbed by him.

"The Yuan Spirit Liquid is exhausted, continuing to train offers little benefit. It’s time to move."

A gleam flashes in his eyes as Luo Feng leaps from the Yin Heavy Water, landing in the courtyard.

His target is Zhouyan.

These three days, his strength could be described as skyrocketing. The Spring Breeze-as-Heart-Wills Saber reached the soundless level, unexpectedly tempering his body, further advancing his Refining Body Realm, and raising his Cultivation to the peak of the seventh level of the Four Spirit Rotations.

Moreover, perhaps due to using tier-three Yuan Stones, Luo Feng found that the quality of his Yuan Qi far surpasses before, likely exceeding those at the early stage of the eighth level of the Four Spirit Rotations. His strength is incomparable to three days ago, confident to combat the black-robed elder, without further delay.

Snap!

As his foot lands, Luo Feng first performs a set of fist techniques, completely refining the residue of the medicine within him and evaporating any moisture on his body.

The fierce fist wind reverberates through the courtyard, like a thunderclap.

Once the set of fists is completed, Luo Feng retrieves and dons a black outfit, releasing his soul power.

"An early-stage Martial Artist at the eighth level of the Four Spirit Rotations, the others are all above the fifth level. So many people..."

There are more than a hundred guards surrounding the courtyard, all of them skilled.

Feeling their aura, Luo Feng lets out a gentle breath, somewhat touched.

Having been in Big Market City for some days, he has gained some understanding of the situation. Yang Wanyi seems to have mobilized all the elite forces to this place.

His figure flickers, Luo Feng moves like a nightingale hidden in the darkness, appearing on a section of the courtyard wall shielded by bamboo.

His gaze shifts left, and in the distance, a courtyard obscured by trees can be seen faintly, with wisps of light visible.

Looking at the courtyard, Luo Feng’s eyes flicker slightly.

That is precisely Yang Wanyi’s residence; at this time, she should be cultivating.

He did not inform Yang Wanyi of this action, even with his skyrocketing strength these three days, he only has a seventy percent chance of defeating the black-robed elder. Should he be alone, he can retreat unharmed if defeated, leveraging his training in Sky Cloud Step. Others accompanying him would make it more dangerous.

Retracting his gaze, Luo Feng looks at the massive light screen covering Big Market City and murmurs:

"At the last auction, Zhouyan has already developed the intent to kill me and should have arranged for people to monitor me. If so, this is actually beneficial; it’s better to entice them outside the city rather than act within."

He exhales gently, a cold glint flashes in his eyes, and his silhouette leaps silently out of the courtyard, disappearing into the vast night, with the nearby guards sensing nothing.

Elsewhere, in Yang Wanyi’s residence.

Yang Wanyi sits by the stone table in the courtyard, looks at the sky, and slightly frowns, speaking to Elder Qian beside her: "Uncle Qian, this is already the third day, when will Han Xuan arrive?"

"He sent someone with news during the day, promising to arrive at night."

Elder Qian says: "They need to avoid Heavenly Position Commerce Alliance’s agents, which might have caused a delay. They should be here soon."

At this moment, footsteps are heard, followed by a cheerful laugh from the courtyard entrance:

"Yang Wanyi, we’ve known each other for so long, have I ever failed to keep my word?"

Several figures appear at the courtyard gate, led by a blue-clothed youth with refined brows, none other than Han Xuan, the young master of Massive Cauldron Commerce Alliance.

Four people follow behind Han Xuan, accompanying him to the Business Alliance Conference. They belong to Massive Cauldron Commerce Alliance, each armed with swords or sabers, their piercing gazes emitting chilling glints in the night, making the maids arranging the courtyard avert their eyes.

This is killing intent.

Seeing Han Xuan and his company appear, Yang Wanyi looks slightly relieved, and says: "You all should be clear about the situation."

"Yes."

Han Xuan’s smile suddenly fades as he nods.

Standing behind Han Xuan, a sturdy man looks at Yang Wanyi and asks seriously:

"Miss Waner, do you have evidence that the one who attacked young master was Elder Qi Yuan from Heavenly Position Commerce Alliance? This is a significant matter, and we hope you answer in detail."

Upon hearing this, the others also turn their gaze to Yang Wanyi.

Previously, they suspected Heavenly Position Commerce Alliance was behind the attack on Han Xuan, but it was only a suspicion without solid evidence.

Three days ago, Elder Qian suddenly contacted them, saying it was Elder Qi Yuan from Heavenly Position Commerce Alliance who attacked Han Xuan. This information surprised them but convinced them to collaborate with Dayang Commerce Alliance to deal with Heavenly Position Commerce Alliance.

"Certainly."

Yang Wanyi nods slightly, stands up, and says to Han Xuan: "To be frank, the night before the start of the Business Alliance Conference, I was also ambushed and barely escaped with my life. The attacker of both you and me should be the same person."

"That’s impossible."

A short Martial Artist shakes his head vehemently, saying coldly: "I’ve fought that guy, the one who attacked my young master is certainly not..."

"Certainly not human?"

Yang Wanyi cuts him off.

"How... how do you know!" The short man’s face reflects shock.

Yang Wanyi doesn’t answer but instead walks to another side of the courtyard and says: "Take a look at this."

Han Xuan and his party share a look, then walk over, all changing their expressions drastically.

"This is the mark left from that battle. Elder Qi Yuan has cultivated a unique martial art that allows transformation."

In front of Yang Wanyi, the ground is shattered, with several huge claw marks shocking to behold.

The courtyard was rebuilt on the ruins of Yang Wanyi’s original residence, and she deliberately left these claw marks.

"The claw marks are identical, it’s this person who attacked the young master!"

The martial artist with a short stature reddened in the face, gritting his teeth, "I must kill this guy myself. Young master, let’s charge into the Tianwei Merchant Alliance now!"

The faces of the other three guards from the Massive Cauldron Commerce Alliance turned a bit grim as they were here under the Family Head’s order to protect Han Xuan in Big Market City.

On the way, Han Xuan was almost assassinated, which was undoubtedly a great humiliation, urging all four to avenge Han Xuan.

Han Xuan listened peacefully to everything, waving his hand to interrupt the short martial artist, saying:

"The Tianwei Merchant Alliance has held the top position for ten consecutive years, as the saying goes, even a dying centipede can still crawl. Though they’ve waned in power, they’re still formidable with experts aplenty. Moreover, the martial arts Elder Qi Yuan practices are mysterious and unpredictable. With our current strength, a direct confrontation could lead to defeat."

The four fell silent upon hearing this.

When Han Xuan was ambushed, they had clashed with Elder Qi Yuan, and only by combining their powers were they barely able to repel him.

Han Xuan looked at Yang Wanyi with a smile, saying,

"Since you called us here, you must have a plan already."

"Indeed."

Yang Wanyi nodded slowly, "Because of Luo Feng and me, the Tianwei Merchant Alliance lost its first alliance position. Zhouyan holds grudges and certainly despises us. These days, when I go out, I can faintly feel someone tailing me. I suspect Zhouyan sent people."

"Elder Zhou from an illustrious generation, his son turned out to be such a despicable character," Elder Qian snorted coldly.

Yang Wanyi continued, "It seems Zhouyan plans to kill us as soon as we leave Big Market City. We can use this against him, lure them out of the city. If it’s only Luo Feng and me, due to Zhouyan’s arrogance, he wouldn’t send many experts. The only threat would be Elder Qi Yuan."

The short martial artist slapped his forehead joyfully, "I know... I know. This is the little bird eating the insect, the big bird behind it!"

The only woman among the four blushed, scolding him,

"It’s the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind! You’re embarrassing the young master."

"It’s the same meaning," the short martial artist mumbled, scratching his head.

Han Xuan smiled bitterly but was accustomed to this, musing, "Indeed, a good plan. Elder Qi Yuan’s cultivation may be mysterious, but he’s only mid-level eighth Spiritual Rotation Realm. As they say, ants can bite an elephant to death, and he’s not even an elephant."

"Exactly, with the four of us plus Elder Qian renowned in the Dayang Commerce Alliance, we can surely handle the old wolf!" The short martial artist sneered.

Han Xuan cast about, asking, "Yang Wanyi, why isn’t Luo Feng here?"

Yang Wanyi’s beautiful eyes flickered slightly before reverting to calm, saying,

"He’s in seclusion, unable to join this operation. Han Xuan, I wish for you to disguise as him."

Han Xuan was slightly stunned, gazing deeply at Yang Wanyi, "Heh, that’s no problem."

The short martial artist rubbed his hands, impatiently muttering, "With the plan settled and everyone here, let’s act immediately."

Yang Wanyi nodded, "Prepare, and head out straightaway. Remember, you must not be discovered, or the effort will be wasted."

They began preparations as Han Xuan donned a black cloak, enveloping himself entirely within. Matching Luo Feng’s height, he bore a certain resemblance when cloaked.

"Yang Wanyi, does Luo Feng know about this?"

Seizing an opportunity when no one was around, Han Xuan approached Yang Wanyi and asked.

Yang Wanyi was slightly taken aback, nodding calmly,

"No time to inform him. Why ask suddenly?"

"Nothing much."

Han Xuan shook his head with a smile, a playful glint in his eyes beneath the cloak, "Just a bit envious of the kid, not risking life at midnight like us."

Yang Wanyi raised her delicate eyebrows, tossing Emperor Yan’s Sky-breaking Saber prepared two days ago to Han Xuan, "Let’s go."

Thump, thump, thump...

Han Xuan was bumped backward several steps, shaking his numb arm, looking at Yang Wanyi’s retreating form with a bitter smile, "Suddenly, I’m not envious of him anymore."

Meanwhile, Elder Qian and the others were also prepared, and after a quick discussion amongst the seven, they moved immediately.

Before departure, Yang Wanyi summoned Xiao Sang and Xiao Yue, who cared for Luo Feng, instructing, "Xiao Sang, Xiao Yue, if I’m not back by dawn, notify Luo Feng to leave Big Market City immediately. Understand?"

"Miss, is something wrong?" Xiao Sang asked confused.

Yang Wanyi smiled, "Nothing."

"We’ll deliver the message. Miss, return soon," said Xiao Yue.

Then, Yang Wanyi and Han Xuan set off first, leaving the station, deliberately concealing their traces, then using qinggong to blend into the night, silently heading toward the city gates.

"Wanyi... It’s so late, where does she plan to go? Who’s that beside her in black, looking much like me, even the saber sheath is similar..."

In the dark, Luo Feng watched them from afar, frowning slightly.

After leaving the courtyard, Luo Feng hadn’t gone far when he saw Yang Wanyi and a man in black speeding by, thinking his trail was discovered, he hid in the woods’ shadows, later realizing that wasn’t the case. Yang Wanyi and the man in black hurried away without glancing at him.

Deep at night with Yang Wanyi accompanied by an unidentified person roused unease, prompting him to follow.

"Zhouyan indeed stationed people to monitor here."

Upon Yang Wanyi and the man in black exiting the gate, Luo Feng immediately sensed nearly ten presences trailing them.

"Check the situation first."

Watching Yang Wanyi and the black-cloaked figure, Luo Feng frowned slightly, employing Sky Cloud Step to conceal his presence like a phantom, tailing after them.

Meanwhile,

"Hahaha... You have some self-awareness. Knowing you’ve provoked me, Zhouyan, and trying to sneak away! But you can’t escape my grasp!"

In a lavish hall of the Tianwei Merchant Alliance, Zhouyan’s face twisted into a sneer upon hearing reports from his subordinates, pushing the woman in his arms aside, shouting loudly, "Elder Qi Yuan."

Shush!

A cold wind rose within the hall, Elder Qi Yuan in black robes appeared at the hall’s entrance, his eyes cold and wolf-like.

"Let’s go; tonight, I’ll make Yang Wanyi and Luo Feng aware of the consequences of crossing me."

Zhouyan donned his robe, commanding coldly.

"Family Head, let me go too."

Just then, footsteps sounded, and another person entered the hall.

This man, clad in black chainmail, broad and muscular, stood like a towering wall, exuding fierce energy only slightly less than the old man in black, also mid-level eighth Spiritual Rotation Realm.

"Captain Qi, weren’t you headed for Black Iron City? Why’d you return?" Zhouyan asked with surprise.

"I summoned him back."

Wisps of coldness danced in Elder Qi Yuan’s gaze, speaking, "Just to be safe."

"Heh, with you, Elder Qi Yuan, what wave can Luo Feng and Yang Wanyi possibly stir? You’re far too cautious," Zhouyan chuckled; tonight was his finest moment in days.

"Captain Qi, since you’re back, come along."

"Yes."