Chapter 18: Betrayal, Pursuit, and Counterattack

Chapter 18: Betrayal, Pursuit, and Counterattack

The massive palm struck with a thunderous boom, sending Chen Feng crashing to the ground as afterimages flickered around him. The howling palm force whipped up violent gusts, shattering the illusions and sending dried leaves rolling across the ground, while the rustling of trees echoed from over a dozen meters away.

"The Giant Strength Bear’s eyes are injured. Everyone, seize this chance to kill it!" Chen Feng retreated swiftly to evade the bear’s strikes, his voice low but urgent.

Wang Qi and the other three were stunned, but their experience kicked in immediately—this was an opportunity not to be missed.

Kill!

A Giant Strength Bear blinded in both eyes was undoubtedly far easier to deal with.

Under the coordinated assault of the five, the nearly 5-meter-tall bear staggered before collapsing backward with a resounding crash.

Boom!

The ground trembled, sending shockwaves rippling outward in a terrifying display.

"Finally dead. The strength of a Quasi-Second Rank demonic beast is truly fearsome," Yan Bin wiped the sweat from his brow, exhaling heavily before turning to Chen Feng. "But this was all thanks to Brother Chen Feng. If not for his peerless swordsmanship, which wounded the bear’s eyes in one strike, who knows how much longer it would have taken to bring it down."

"Brother Chen Feng truly lives up to his reputation as a young genius of the Huntian Dao Academy. One day, you’ll surely become a disciple of the Huntian Sect," Wang Qi flattered.

"Teaming up with Brother Chen Feng this time was truly our good fortune," Han Hui chimed in.

"Something to boast about for a lifetime," Han Jie added, his previously cold demeanor now laced with sycophancy.

Seasoned martial artists knew better than to provoke a formidable enemy unnecessarily.

"Let’s harvest the Crimson Vein Fruits quickly," Chen Feng said, eager to cut short the endless praise.

"Brother Chen Feng is right. We should gather the Crimson Vein Fruits before anything else happens," Wang Qi quickly agreed, while the other three inwardly cursed themselves for not speaking up first.

Fifteen Crimson Vein Fruits were plucked, divided equally among the five—three each.

After a careful inspection, Chen Feng tucked his three fruits securely into his robes.

As for how to use them… he’d decide later.

"This Quasi-Second Rank Giant Strength Bear’s carcass should fetch about 800 silver taels back at camp. Brother Chen Feng will take 400, and the remaining 400 will be split among us four. Does that sound fair?" Wang Qi proposed.

"Perfectly reasonable."

"Brother Chen Feng contributed the most to killing the bear. This distribution is only right."

"Agreed."

A mere 100 silver taels each was a small price to pay if it meant leaving a good impression—or even forging a connection—with Chen Feng.

The nearly 5-meter-tall Giant Strength Bear weighed several thousand kilograms, but Chen Feng didn’t need to lift a finger. Wang Qi and the other three carried the beast as they made their way out of the Ten Thousand Woods.

As they neared the exit, two figures strode toward them.

At the sight of the newcomers, Chen Feng’s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint flashing within.

"Chen Feng, so you’re still alive," Ye Huai’s gaze locked onto Chen Feng’s face, his killing intent blazing as he roared, "This time, you’re truly dead."

Without hesitation, Chen Feng turned and retreated deeper into the Ten Thousand Woods.

"I am Ye Yao of the Ye Family, the ninth seat of the Huntian Dao Academy. This is my elder brother Ye Huai, the third seat of the academy. You four, hurry and assist us in capturing the traitor Chen Feng. Once the deed is done, each of you will be rewarded with a Meridian Opening Pill." The young man accompanying Ye Huai swept his gaze over Wang Qi and the other three, a glint of sharpness flashing as he spoke swiftly.

Wang Qi and the others had initially wanted no part in this, but upon hearing that the two were from the Ye Family and were among the Top Ten Disciples of the Huntian Dao Academy—and with the added incentive of a Meridian Opening Pill—they were immediately swayed.

"From the first glance, I knew this Chen Feng was no good. How dare he oppose the Ye Family? I, Han Jie, will definitely assist you two in capturing this traitor," Han Jie declared coldly, releasing his grip on the Giant Strength Bear.

"I, Han Hui, am also willing to help you two capture Chen Feng," Han Hui quickly pledged.

Following suit, Yan Bin and Wang Qi also voiced their agreement.

"After him!"

The six immediately sprang into action, swiftly pursuing in the direction Chen Feng had fled.

Chen Feng had originally intended to lure Ye Huai and Ye Yao into the Ten Thousand Woods, planning to use the terrain to his advantage and even kill them. He hadn’t expected Wang Qi and the others to join the chase, which secretly infuriated him.

"All four of you, think carefully. Are you certain you wish to make an enemy of me?" A cold glint flashed in Chen Feng’s eyes as he spoke frostily. "Withdraw now, and I’ll let this slide."

"Enough nonsense! Surrender now!" Han Jie barked sharply.

"Chen Feng, opposing the Ye Family is the most unwise decision you’ve ever made," Yan Bin said with a stern expression.

"Chen Feng, perhaps there’s some misunderstanding. Stop and let’s talk it out," Wang Qi attempted to persuade.

The six cultivators at the Ninth Level of the Body Forging Realm moved with incredible speed, closing the distance rapidly.

Chen Feng had no choice but to weave through the towering trees of the Ten Thousand Woods to evade them.

After all, his cultivation was only at the Seventh Level of the Body Forging Realm, and the Nine Shadows Illusory Body technique wasn’t suited for long-distance sprinting. His speed simply couldn’t match theirs.

"Brothers, be careful. This traitor Chen Feng’s swordsmanship is exceptional—he can kill Ninth Level Body Forging cultivators," Wang Qi even warned Ye Huai and Ye Yao.

"Enough talk," Ye Huai said coldly.

They had already heard about Chen Feng slaying Ninth Level Body Forging cultivators back at the camp.

Ye Huai’s heart was filled with shock and suspicion.

How could it be? In just a few days, Chen Feng’s cultivation had continuously improved, and his strength had grown at an alarming rate.

"Brother Huai, Chen Feng must have some secret—perhaps an inheritance of some sort," Ye Yao whispered to Ye Huai, his voice condensed into a thin thread. "Let’s capture him alive first and force the truth out of him."

Ye Huai’s eyes flickered imperceptibly as he gave a slight nod.

"Six Ninth Level Body Forging cultivators, each with extraordinary strength. If I get surrounded..." Chen Feng thought grimly as he fled. "I can’t keep running forever. I must take them down one by one."

Darting behind a massive tree, Chen Feng leaped up and swiftly climbed.

Then, from his elevated position, he lunged downward.

"Die!"

As the pursuers arrived, they roared and attacked. In an instant, Chen Feng’s figure trembled, splitting into nine illusory shadows that scattered in all directions, making it impossible to distinguish the real one.

The nine shadows simultaneously struck at Ye Huai and the other five, sword gleams slicing through the air.

"Watch out!"

"Beware his sword!"

Shouts of alarm erupted as Wang Qi and the other three paled in horror.

Chen Feng's swordsmanship was something they had witnessed firsthand when they joined forces to slay the Quasi-Second Rank Giant Strength Bear, leaving an indelible impression.

Yet, as experts of the Ninth Level of the Body Forging Realm, they managed to block Chen Feng's sword shadows.

Chen Feng landed, and illusions flickered around him, blurring the line between reality and deception.

"Kill!"

Nine Sword Shadows linked into a single line, striking directly at Wang Qi.

Nine Swords in Succession—swift to the extreme.

Wang Qi's face twisted in horror as he swung his saber frantically, forming an impenetrable defense. Yet, it was futile against Chen Feng's blade. The sword pierced through, delivering a fatal strike.

Withdrawing his sword, Chen Feng retreated swiftly. Wang Qi collapsed, his eyes filled with regret as he fell lifeless.

Yan Bin, Han Jie, and Han Hui's expressions darkened, their resolve wavering.

"Do you dare offend the Ye Family?" Ye Yao's icy voice cut through their hesitation, instantly discerning their thoughts.

"This bastard killed Brother Wang Qi! I will avenge him!" Han Hui shuddered before hastily declaring his stance.

"Agreed!" Han Jie quickly echoed.

"This villain is ruthless, his actions demonic. If we don't eliminate him, he will bring calamity to Great Xia!" Yan Bin brandished his twin spears, speaking with righteous fury.

"Indeed, indeed!" Han Jie chimed in again.

"After him, now!" Ye Huai roared.

None of the five spared a glance at Wang Qi's fallen body as they resumed their pursuit.

Chen Feng sprinted at full speed, weaving between the towering trees.

"I wonder what effect the Crimson Vein Fruit has?" A thought surfaced.

The Crimson Vein Fruit was the primary ingredient for refining Meridian Opening Pills, unlike the Crimson Blood Fruit. Chen Feng wasn't sure if consuming it directly would enhance his cultivation.

"Let's try one first."

Without hesitation, Chen Feng took out a Crimson Vein Fruit, chewed, and swallowed it. The flesh was thick and slightly astringent, but that hardly mattered.

What mattered was that the Divine Talisman Of Creation instantly refined the fruit, releasing an exceptionally pure surge of energy.

"Roughly equivalent to one Foundation Establishment Pill."

A single Crimson Vein Fruit was worth two hundred taels—equal to two Foundation Establishment Pills—but consuming it directly only yielded the effect of one. A poor trade.

Yet Chen Feng didn't hesitate. He immediately consumed the remaining two fruits.

Pure energy surged through him, enriching and strengthening his blood and qi, relentlessly tempering his internal organs.

Before long, Chen Feng felt his organs grow more resilient, his Organ Force more potent. Even his Skin and Muscle Force and Tendon and Bone Force saw improvements.

"Finally, a breakthrough."

A surge of joy rose within him as he sensed the immense power coursing through his body.

With his current cultivation at the Eighth Level of the Body Forging Realm, he should have nothing to fear from his pursuers.

Turning around, Chen Feng charged straight toward Ye Huai and the others. The sudden shift left the five of them wary and uncertain.

"Kill!"

Ye Huai growled, unsheathing his saber. With the Wave-Splitting Saber Technique, he stepped forward, his speed skyrocketing as seven blinding slashes erupted—each strike delivered with full force.

Originally, he had only mastered the Wave-Breaking Six Blades. But after his fierce battle with the Shadow Leopard, he gained insights. During his recovery at the Ye Family, he relentlessly trained, finally breaking through his limits to master the Wave-Breaking Seven Blades.

Ye Yao also drew his blade, unleashing the Wave-Breaking Six Blades mid-air.

Yan Bin thrust his twin spears like a torrential downpour. Han Jie leaped high, swinging his battle-axe downward with mountain-splitting force. Han Hui charged head-on, his bronze shield leading the way.

The Nine Sword Shadows appeared, and Chen Feng's sword followed in a lethal strike, instantly shattering Yan Bin's rain of spears with unstoppable force, killing him on the spot.

Before the Nine Sword Shadows could fade, the Tenth Sword Shadow emerged behind Han Hui, its blade piercing through the air.

Slay!

Han Hui followed in the footsteps of Wang Qi and Yan Bin.

"Second Brother!" Han Jie roared in fury, his eyes crimson like a cornered beast as he glared at Chen Feng. "I'll kill you!"

His battle-axe howled through the air, cleaving with the force of splitting mountains, ferocious to the extreme.

Chen Feng's expression remained cold and solemn as he sidestepped, the Nine Sword Shadows flashing into existence once more, their blades weaving a relentless chain.

Yet Ye Huai and Ye Yao's long sabers struck again, shattering the illusions one after another.

Then, the Tenth Sword Shadow manifested—its strike as unpredictable as a ghost's, piercing straight through Han Jie's chest and instantly shredding his heart.

"Chen Feng, I never expected your strength to have grown to such a terrifying degree," Ye Huai said, his gaze sharp as a blade, his voice icy and ruthless. "Reveal your secrets, hand over your legacy, and I'll grant you a painless death."

Ye Yao remained silent, but a sinister grin twisted his face as he locked onto Chen Feng with his aura.

"You think you're capable of that?" Chen Feng sneered.

Having witnessed his power, how could Ye Huai still dare to speak so arrogantly? Was his strength truly far superior?

Chen Feng couldn't help but wonder.

Just how vast was the gap between the Top Ten Disciples of the Dao Academy and ordinary cultivators at the Ninth Level of the Body Forging Realm?

"Since that's the case..." Ye Huai's eyes blazed with killing intent, his aura locking onto Chen Feng as he advanced, his Wave-Breaking Seven Blades overlapping like tidal waves to encircle him.

Meanwhile, Ye Yao flickered to Chen Feng's side, unleashing the Wave-Breaking Six Blades in a furious assault.