"Hahaha, Lin Feng, are you starting to feel scared? Thirty years ago, when the Star-Gazing Pavilion was destroyed, you took the Star Furnace from it. Who would’ve thought that this turn of events has already been thirty years in the making."

The armored soldier spoke these enigmatic words and then took a few steps to the side. He continued:

"Now the Court is about to wipe out the Six Great Sects in one fell swoop to bring peace to the world. Since you come from the Star-Gazing Pavilion, I have the justification to drive you away on behalf of the Court. Although the current Six Great Sects have nothing to do with you, you are also a member of the Martial Arts. For the long-term stability of Peace City, I advise you to leave here as soon as possible. Either return to the Capital, where the Court can still offer you a position, or step outside the city walls and fight the hundred thousand barbaric army. Whichever way you choose, you decide."

The armored soldier spoke with a look of righteousness, leaving no room for negotiation, as if everything he’s done these days was leading up to this moment.

Lin Feng even suspected that Chen Lang’s arrival was no coincidence. But if he left just like that, what would happen to the people of Peace City?

So Lin Feng said to the armored soldier: "I can leave, but how do you plan on explaining to the people of Peace City? How do you intend to drive away the hundred thousand barbaric army outside the city walls? If you can give me a satisfactory answer, I may agree to leave."

At this moment, the armored soldier began to laugh loudly, raising his head to laugh three times.

Lin Feng’s old subordinates couldn’t bear to watch any longer. In the formation, surrounded by the army, Qian Yue and Qian Hua looked at Lin Feng in desperation.

The old subordinates urged Lin Feng: "General Lin, you must not agree to his request!"

Lin Feng understood in his heart, filled with bitterness. He thought about how he had just defeated enemies for the Court, but now he was being forced out.

Lin Feng had already prepared for the worst outcome: to leave temporarily for the larger picture. As long as the armored soldier had countless plans to thoroughly repel the barbaric army, and as long as the people of Peace City could obtain temporary peace, Lin Feng would sacrifice his interests for the greater good.

The armored soldier finished laughing and replied to Lin Feng with renewed energy: "The people of Peace City are naturally the people of the Human Realm, and the Court will certainly treat them kindly. As for the barbaric army outside the city, as long as you, Lin Feng, agree to leave Peace City, I naturally have a way to repel the enemy."

Hearing the armored soldier’s words, Lin Feng was still somewhat skeptical, but the situation had reached this point. Besides choosing to trust him, Lin Feng would have no choice but to fight him to the death. At that time, chaos would ensue in Peace City, and Lin Feng would be the villain.

"Alright, I agree with you." When Lin Feng spoke these words, no one knew his current mood.

This was the promise Lin Feng made to the armored soldier tonight in front of everyone.

Since Lin Feng made such a promise, he would surely not go back on his word.

At this moment, Lin Feng still had a worry, which was his academy. The children couldn’t be left without someone to care for them.

So Lin Feng said to the armored soldier:

"I will leave with my troops, but you must ensure the normal operation of the academy and allow me to leave behind a batch of teachers."

The armored soldier certainly wouldn’t trouble a group of students; in his eyes, he only wanted Lin Feng gone. As long as Lin Feng left, Peace City would essentially return to the hands of the Court. He would have completed the task assigned by the Imperial Censor. This way, when the Imperial Censor called back the army, the armored soldier would receive a generous reward. As for what exactly the reward would be, only the armored soldier knew.

Seeing Lin Feng’s requests, the armored soldier immediately agreed to them, only setting a limit on the number of teachers Lin Feng could arrange and specifically mentioned that Wu Fa must leave with him.

Wu Fa was Lin Feng’s confidant; leaving Wu Fa would be like placing a thorn in Peace City.

Now that everything here was settled, the armored soldier retreated from surrounding Qian Hua and Qian Yue with soldiers.

Qian Yue came to Lin Feng and asked: "Brother Lin, why do you have to leave?" with an emotional demeanor, clearly opposing Lin Feng’s decision.

Lin Feng answered firmly: "My mind is made up, there’s no need to discuss it further."

After speaking, Lin Feng got up and left the military camp. Qian Yue and Qian Hua had no choice but to follow Lin Feng away.

At this moment, in Wu Fa’s rural garden.

As dawn gradually broke, everyone gathered in the courtyard, waiting for Lin Feng to come out of the house.

Many people were in the courtyard at this moment, including Wu Fa, Yuan Hong, and many cultivators. Some were planning to leave with Lin Feng, while others would remain in Peace City.

Soon, Lin Feng arrived in the courtyard.

Qian Yue and Qian Hua hurriedly came forward, eager to hear what Lin Feng had planned. From their appearances, they seemed very anxious to hear who Lin Feng would leave behind.

Everyone present hoped to leave with Lin Feng, rather than staying here.

Knowing everyone’s thoughts, Lin Feng said: "The people of Peace City are innocent, and so are their children. My biggest concern on leaving this time is still the children in the academy. After a night of contemplation, I’ve decided on my plan."

Having heard that Lin Feng was about to reveal his plan, everyone became energized. Seven or eight core members in the courtyard sat orderly on benches, eager to hear what Lin Feng planned.

Looking at the expectant eyes of the people, the cultivators knew that once they made a decision, they wouldn’t waste time lingering and would act decisively.

Since Lin Feng had decided to leave, they would follow him.

Wherever Lin Feng went, hope followed.

"Qian Yue and Qian Hua, you are the youngest cultivators here and also the hope for the future of the Human Realm. I entrust the students and teachers of Tianxing Academy to you."

Turning around while speaking, Lin Feng didn’t forget to instruct Elder Yuan briefly: "I initially wanted Wu Fa to stay behind to look after Peace City for me. But since the Court specifically prohibited Wu Fa from staying, I have no choice. The only person I can trust to entrust Peace City and Tianxing Academy with now is you."

Lin Feng looked at Yuan Hong with an expression filled with sorrow yet sincerity, with both compassion and respect for the elder. His words were not orders but a plea.

Beyond Wu Fa, Yuan Hong was the person Lin Feng felt most assured about in Peace City. Yuan Hong was not only the eldest among them, with the richest experiences but also a powerful Eight Spirit Knot cultivator.

With such a powerful figure around, Lin Feng could rest assured to entrust Peace City to him.

Lin Feng’s crew all wore Dragon Armor, crafted from dragon scales sharper than any metal after they slaughtered the Diving Dragon King at Dragon Abyss Pond long ago.

With this Dragon Armor, Lin Feng wasn’t worried about any mishaps.

Thus, he handed a Star Stone to Yuan Hong, and softly said:

"This Star Stone contains a trace of my spiritual sense. If there’s anything urgent, just crush this Star Stone. No matter where I am, I will surely come back."

Yuan Hong’s elderly figure slightly trembled.

With an air of wisdom, he seemed like an elder who had seen it all, understanding the vicissitudes of life.

He stood up from the stone stool, earnestly saying to Lin Feng:

"I’ve grown weary of struggling in this chaotic world and wish to find a good place to spend the rest of my life. I think Tianxing Academy is the perfect place."

Yuan Hong’s words were filled with sincerity, his aged voice carrying a tone of weariness yet full of truth.

Everyone present was touched by his righteousness and indifference to fame and fortune.

On the other hand, regarding the Human Realm Court, forcing Lin Feng out for selfish reasons was utterly shameful and contemptible. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

People pondered that if the armored soldier ever broke Lin Feng’s oath, everyone would either unitedly retake Peace City from the inside or outside.