Chapter 65: Sinister Intentions

Whoosh!

Before the eyes of the crowd, a white beam of light suddenly shot out from the crown of Qin Feiyang’s head and gathered in his palm.

This was tangible spiritual power!

It was as fine as a strand of hair, shimmering faintly, emanating a hidden aura.

“It really is spiritual power!”

“Quick, calculate how long it took him!”

Feng Cheng and the others were dumbfounded, full of disbelief.

“Half an hour!”

Elder Mo swallowed hard, speaking with difficulty.

At these words, the place erupted into an uproar.

“How could it only take half an hour to condense spiritual power?”

“Even Senior Brother Cheng Yi took a day and a half back then!”

“Jiang Haotian, be honest, had you already condensed spiritual power before?”

Some voices questioned, unable to accept this reality.

One of them was Ling Yan.

“What nonsense! Just because you can’t do it doesn’t mean others can’t!”

Feng Cheng snapped, his face more serious than ever.

“What’s going on?”

“Why is everyone gathered here?”

At that moment, Luo Xiong’s voice rang out from the distance.

He strode over, looked at Qin Feiyang, and asked, “Why haven’t you started condensing spiritual power yet?”

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he saw the wisp of spiritual power hovering above Qin Feiyang’s palm, and his body froze.

“He actually condensed spiritual power so quickly?”

He was stunned for a long time before finally coming to his senses. He smiled and said, “Your matter has been handled. From now on, rest assured in Black Bear City—no one will dare trouble you.”

Qin Feiyang was overjoyed. He hastily withdrew his spiritual power back into his sea of consciousness and cupped his fists. “Thank you, Hall Master.”

Luo Xiong glanced at the disciples behind him, then leaned close to Qin Feiyang’s ear and reminded him, “Don’t reveal the level of your spiritual power to anyone. Ninth-level spiritual power will only provoke envy.”

“I understand,” Qin Feiyang nodded.

Luo Xiong smiled, then turned to the group of disciples. “Who will take Jiang Haotian to familiarize him with the Pill Hall?”

“I will.” Ling Yan immediately stepped forward.

Luo Xiong’s eyes flashed slightly, then he nodded. “Very well, take Jiang Haotian around and help him collect his identification token.”

“Yes,” Ling Yan bowed in response.

Luo Xiong waved his hand. “That’s all, everyone, you’re dismissed!”

The group of disciples quickly dispersed, spreading the news like wildfire.

“Jiang Haotian, wait a moment.”

As Qin Feiyang was about to leave, Elder Mo called to him.

Qin Feiyang turned, looking at him with some confusion.

Elder Mo looked toward Feng Cheng, frowning. “Aren’t you going to hand over the bets? Or do you mean to keep them for yourself?”

“Bets?” Qin Feiyang was stunned.

Ling Yan quietly explained.

Only then did Qin Feiyang realize he had gained an unexpected windfall.

Naturally, he didn’t stand on ceremony.

After collecting all the bets, Qin Feiyang turned to leave.

But just as he did, Luo Xiong suddenly spoke, “Jiang Haotian, there’s news I think you’ll find interesting. Because of his contribution in reporting you, Ling Yunfei has joined the Martial Hall on the recommendation of the City Lord.”

A cold light flashed in Qin Feiyang’s eyes. He cupped his fists. “Thank you for telling me, Hall Master.”

…

At the same time—

Ling Family’s council hall.

The head of the Ling Family sat in the main seat, his face dark and sullen.

Beside him stood Ling Yunfei, Ling Sheng, and two young men and women, all silent and downcast.

But it was clear that Ling Yunfei was agitated, his fists clenched so tightly his body trembled.

When Ling Sheng and the others looked at Ling Yunfei, their eyes glinted coldly.

“Yunfei,” the Ling Family head suddenly spoke, his face showing a faint smile.

Ling Yunfei hurriedly replied, “Yes, Uncle.”

“Although our Ling Family lost quite a bit of gold this time, thanks to the City Lord's recommendation, you’ve joined the Martial Hall,” the family head said with a smile.

Ling Yunfei bowed. “Uncle, rest assured, I will work hard.”

The family head nodded. “I believe you will, but not everyone’s efforts bear fruit. Yunfei, I’d like to discuss something with you.”

“Uncle, please say it.”

A strong sense of unease welled up in Ling Yunfei’s heart.

“Your talent is not outstanding. Even if you join the Martial Hall, you won’t achieve much, nor bring much benefit to our Ling Family. I want you to give this opportunity to Ling Sheng,” said the family head.

“What?” Ling Yunfei’s body shook, his face turning ashen.

“Thank you, Father!” Ling Sheng was overjoyed. When he looked at Ling Yunfei again, his eyes were full of smugness, no longer cold.

The other two looked on with envy, but more with schadenfreude at Ling Yunfei’s misfortune.

The family head smiled. “Yunfei, I know you must feel uncomfortable, but if you agree, I promise you’ll be treated well in the future.”

“Treated well…” Ling Yunfei murmured, his eyes bleak.

He thought of Qin Feiyang’s words:

—The people you care about will soon cast you into the abyss again!

He had believed that his efforts would change their opinion of him, or at least stop their dislike, but he was wrong.

His kindness had only emboldened these people.

“No, I refuse!”

“This is an opportunity I earned through my own efforts. Why should I give it to Ling Sheng?”

“Uncle, this is unfair!”

For the first time, he protested for himself.

But he was met only with ruthless mockery.

“Efforts?”

“Don’t make it sound so noble.”

“Didn’t you betray your friend for this chance?”

“Go outside and see—everyone in Black Bear City is spitting on you behind your back.”

“People like you, faithless and ungrateful, won’t draw any sympathy even in death.”

Ling Sheng and the others sneered.

Every word was a knife, stabbing into Ling Yunfei’s heart.

The family head’s smile faded into a sneer, his gaze full of disdain, as if watching a clown.

Ling Yunfei looked at the four, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white, blood seeping from his palms, but he seemed oblivious to the pain.

And deep in his eyes, a murderous intent flickered.

But in the end, he suppressed it, struggling to rise. “My entry into the Martial Hall was by the City Lord’s recommendation. If I give it to Ling Sheng now, I fear the City Lord will blame me and the Ling Family.”

He was making a last-ditch effort to save his chance.

“That’s not your concern. I’ll speak to the City Lord myself. Now, get out. And if I hear any rumors outside, you know the consequences,” the family head said coldly.

Ling Yunfei trembled, looking at the four before him.

Was he still one of the Ling Family?

Were these people still his family?

He turned and walked out step by step, his heart bleeding.

“Why treat me this way?”

“What did I do wrong…”

He muttered to himself, his face full of helplessness and despair.

“Useless trash!” Ling Sheng sneered at him, then turned to the family head, beaming. “Father, thank you.”

The family head smiled. “You are my son. Of course I side with you. But remember, after entering the Martial Hall, bring honor to our family.”

“Don’t worry, Father. I won’t let you down,” Ling Sheng patted his chest.

“Congratulations, Brother Sheng!”

“Don’t forget us when you’re established in the Martial Hall!”

The two young men and women crowded around, flattering him.

“I won’t forget you. I’ll treat you to drinks later—let’s not stop until we’re drunk!” Ling Sheng laughed heartily.

The hall was filled with laughter and joy.

Ling Yunfei, however, crouched alone in a corner, weeping in sorrow.

Pill Hall.

With Ling Yan as his guide, Qin Feiyang visited every corner of the Pill Hall.

Along the way, Ling Yan tried every trick to pry information from Qin Feiyang, but failed each time.

After collecting his identification token, Ling Yan suggested they go to a tavern for a drink to welcome him.

But Qin Feiyang declined and took his leave—he had already seen through Ling Yan’s ill intentions.

A short while later.

Qin Feiyang entered a grand hall, stopping before a tightly closed door. He cupped his fists and called, “Elder Feng, I have something to discuss.”

“Come in,” Feng Cheng’s voice came from within.

Qin Feiyang entered to find Feng Cheng hunched over a desk, writing intently.

Without looking up, Feng Cheng said, “Close the door.”

After shutting the door, Qin Feiyang walked to the desk and leaned over to see.

—Body Tempering Pill!

These three words immediately caught his eye.

He was writing a pill recipe!

“Go sit over there for a while,” Feng Cheng gestured to a tea table nearby.

Qin Feiyang nodded, sat by the tea table, and waited quietly.