Chapter Sixty-Two: Chaos Unfolds

Zhang Ming’s palms, surging with violent power, struck out mercilessly—Liu Feng and the others seemed about to be wounded once again by his attack.

“Stop!” A clear, melodious voice rang out from the distance. In the next instant, a figure dressed in white flashed across the sky like lightning and appeared at the center of the battlefield, colliding fiercely with Zhang Ming’s palms.

The force of the impact swept outward, echoing with the sounds of splintering trees and shattered rocks. The surroundings were instantly shrouded in swirling dust, momentarily obscuring everyone’s vision.

When the haze finally dispersed, a breathtakingly beautiful young woman stood before them. She wore white garments; her skin was fairer than snow, her eyes limpid as clear water, her nose elegantly shaped, her lips rosy and lustrous, her teeth like pearls. Her aura was ethereal and refined, as if she were the very embodiment of nature’s grace. She possessed a beauty that was truly staggering to behold.

Upon seeing her, Liu Feng’s face lit up with joy. “Miss Luo Xue, what a coincidence! I never expected to meet you here.”

Zhang Luoxue smiled gently. “I’m here on sect business this time. I didn’t expect to run into you and Zhang Ming in the midst of a duel.”

Ceng Lu and the others hurried forward to express their gratitude. Luo Xue merely smiled, brushing it off as nothing.

Zhang Ming looked at her, wariness flickering in his eyes. The last time they had fought in the Black Demon Forest, he had been defeated by this very woman.

Luo Xue turned to Zhang Ming and said coldly, “Tonight is when the treasure will surface. I hope you won’t trouble Liu Feng and his friends again—otherwise, don’t blame me for showing no mercy.”

Zhang Ming’s expression darkened at her words. But a wise man knows when to retreat. He swallowed his pride and replied, “I promise you, I won’t cause them any more trouble before the treasure appears.”

Luo Xue nodded. Suddenly, her ears twitched and she called out toward the shadows, “Friends outside, there’s no need to hide. Come in openly.”

“Haha! As expected, Miss Zhang is truly formidable. We held our breath and stilled our spirits, yet you still detected us.” A booming voice responded, and two figures strode into view.

One was burly, with a square face and a rugged countenance, his muscles coiling around his arms like dragons, exuding explosive strength. A heavy, mountain-like pressure radiated from him.

The other was tall and thin, with an unremarkable face, his eyes darting shrewdly, revealing a sharp wit. Both appeared to be around twenty years old, dressed in blue short-sleeved uniforms with a tiger emblem embroidered on the chest.

Luo Xue regarded them and said, “So you are from the Battle Tiger Sect. You’ve come on orders to seek the treasure as well?”

The burly youth smiled. “Indeed. We are Huang Lingshan and Wang Lianshan, disciples of the Battle Tiger Sect. Our master sent us to retrieve the treasure.”

The thin youth, Wang Lianshan, simply nodded in greeting, saying nothing.

“Battle Tiger Sect? What kind of sect is that?” Liu Feng asked, puzzled.

Zhao Guang’s expression grew solemn. “The Battle Tiger Sect is famed for their ferocity in combat. When they fight, they are as fierce and savage as tigers.”

“It’s lively here tonight. Let’s join in,” a voice interjected. Two more figures flashed out from the woods.

One was of medium build, handsome, with bright eyes like golden lamps, exuding a bold and unyielding presence. The other was slightly taller, delicate-featured, and his eyes shone with intelligence. Both were around eighteen or nineteen.

“So, it’s the Zhengyun Academy. My respects,” Huang Lingshan said courteously.

“Yes, we’re from Zhengyun Academy—Sufei and Kuang Boyuan, students of the Yin-Yang Realm.”

Liu Feng couldn’t help but wonder why so many people were gathering here tonight. Could they all be after the rumored treasure?

“Brother Zhao, what exactly is this so-called treasure? Would you mind telling us a little more?” Liu Feng asked Zhao Guang tentatively.

After a moment’s thought, Zhao Guang replied, “There’s no harm in telling you. Most of the sects’ core disciples already know. The treasure is the ‘Yin-Yang Spiritualizing Fruit,’ which has a unique effect on cultivating soul power at the Yin-Yang Realm.”

Upon hearing this, Ceng Lu’s face lit up with understanding. “So it’s the Yin-Yang Spiritualizing Fruit! No wonder so many sects want to seize it.”

Zhao Yang added, “This divine fruit isn’t just useful for the Yin-Yang Realm, even those at the Integration Realm desire it.”

Liu Feng was familiar with this treasure as well, so he now understood why so many were drawn here.

At this moment, Liu Feng noticed a subtle change in the atmosphere. Tension thickened as everyone grew more vigilant, wary of being attacked by others.

Suddenly, Huang Lingshan raised his voice, “I have a proposal that could spare us from having to watch our backs.”

Sufei from Zhengyun Academy called out, “Let’s hear it. We’ll consider it together.”

Huang Lingshan explained, “Let’s agree that no one attacks anyone else before the divine fruit appears. Anyone who breaks this pact will be attacked by the rest.”

Zhang Ming responded coolly, “And when the fruit appears?”

Huang Lingshan laughed heartily. “Once the fruit surfaces, we’ll each rely on our own strength. From that moment, life and death are left to fate.”

“Agreed!”

“That works.”

“I’m in favor.”

Voices of agreement rose from the group.

“Good. Since everyone’s in agreement, let’s rest here and wait for the treasure to emerge,” Huang Lingshan concluded, then sat down with Wang Lianshan.

Sufei and Kuang Boyuan also found a spot to sit.

Zhang Ming had already brought over the injured Zhao Yu and others, and together they formed a group of eight.

Liu Feng, Zhao Yang, Ceng Lu, Zhao Guang, and two junior disciples sat together as well, taking out some food to restore their strength.

Liu Feng had just taken a few bites when he noticed Zhang Luoxue standing aside, not joining any group.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Miss Luo Xue, why don’t you sit with us? It’s safer to stay together.”

“Yes, and in a bit we’ll go find some game. We can all share a meal,” Zhao Yang added enthusiastically.

Zhang Luoxue looked at them, touched by their kindness. She nodded slightly. “Alright. Liu Feng once helped my junior sister, so I trust that his friends are good people as well.” With that, she sat down beside Liu Feng.

Feeling her close by, Liu Feng’s heart began to race, a strange emotion stirring within him. He couldn’t quite explain it himself.

“By the way, Miss Luo Xue, how is your junior sister Fang Xiu? Didn’t she want to come along this time?” Liu Feng asked, searching for something to say.

Zhang Luoxue smiled gently. “That mischievous girl is doing well. She wanted to come, but her strength wasn’t enough and Master wouldn’t allow it. She wouldn’t dare go against her teacher’s wishes.”