Chapter 35: The Heavenly Dao Oath and a Fateful Misstep

Heavenly Profound Energy was a rare and priceless treasure, coveted wherever it appeared. Many had only heard whispers of it, never having the chance to witness it firsthand. The fervent gazes cast from all directions were proof enough of its allure.

“Hmph, easy for you to say.”

Yun Jingping scoffed coldly, his heart unconvinced by Lin Fengting’s words.

“Heh, this fellow is definitely up to something. I refuse to believe anyone from the Lin family could be so benevolent.”

Lan Wu Xi shook his head, a cold chuckle escaping him. Though his system hadn’t revealed the Lin family’s true intentions, one thing he knew for certain: where the Lin family was involved, trouble was sure to follow.

Naturally, beyond Lan Wu Xi and Yun Jingping, others harbored their own suspicions. The Lin family’s reputation had always been rather poor; if not infamous, they were certainly universally disliked.

After Lin Fengting’s declaration, the crowd exchanged glances, yet no one dared to step forward. While cultivators were rare, this grand temple fair surely hosted hundreds, if not thousands.

With major sects like Xuanfeng Prefecture nearby, the chances of disciples lurking in the crowd were high. Everyone chose to observe, for none were fools.

“Why don’t you give it a try?”

“No, no, after you.”

“I don’t think it’s that simple. Let’s just watch and see how things unfold.”

The whispers from the audience grew, a scattered yet noisy murmur. It was clear many cultivators, even powerful ones, were present. Yet, most hesitated, choosing to bide their time and wait for an opportune moment.

‘What exactly is this Lin Fengting up to?’

Yun Haoxiong, at this moment, was arguably the calmest person in the crowd. One couldn’t become a Vice-Patriarch with brute strength alone.

Lin Fengting’s grand display clearly indicated he came prepared, and his confident demeanor, even with the Yun family’s involvement, suggested he had factored them into his schemes long ago.

Though he resented being a mere pawn in their plans, something more crucial weighed on his mind. If Lin Fengting truly meant that anyone who subdued the spiritual energy could claim it, then the Yun family, too, had a chance.

After all, this ancient spiritual energy was undeniably tempting. Rumors claimed Heavenly Profound Qi possessed miraculous properties, aiding breakthroughs.

Especially for those below the Heavenly Void Realm, it significantly increased their chances of advancement. Traces of such Profound Qi were rarely heard of on the continent, so to have it laid bare before them, how could one not be moved?

“Rest assured, everyone, we haven’t tampered with anything. I swear a Heavenly Dao Oath right here, right now: I have made absolutely no manipulations.”

“If anyone can subdue this energy through their own abilities, our Lin family will not interfere!”

In an instant, a spiritual starburst emanated from Lin Fengting’s forehead, hovering in the air before vanishing into the void. Simultaneously, several shimmering patterns appeared, echoing in the air before fading away.

This act seemed to confirm that the Lin family had indeed not played any tricks. After all, breaking a Heavenly Dao Oath would incur the wrath of the heavens.

It would result in the scattering of one’s body and soul, a complete and utter annihilation, with no chance of reincarnation for eternity.

Those who had been hesitant secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Immediately, eager murmurs spread through the crowd.

‘They actually swore a Heavenly Dao Oath? What exactly is the Lin family planning…?’

‘There’s definitely something fishy going on. It’s too strange; such a drastic change must herald something sinister. The Lin family is undoubtedly plotting some earth-shattering conspiracy!’

Both Lan Wu Xi and Yun Jingping entertained these thoughts. Lan Wu Xi, however, had no interest in the matter, as his strength automatically increased according to the plot’s progression.

While such a treasure might yield twice the results with half the effort for others, it was utterly useless to him.

For Yun Jingping, it was different. The disputes between the Lin and Yun families were so numerous they couldn’t be recounted in three days and three nights.

The Lin family’s unusually bold move today was highly suspicious, prompting him to ponder its implications.

“It’s just a wisp of spiritual energy. I don’t know what you’re all dawdling about. If no one else is going, then allow this junior to make a humble attempt.”

Finally, someone couldn’t resist. The allure of Heavenly Profound Energy was too great for anyone present to easily decline.

Moreover, with the Lin family having sworn a Heavenly Dao Oath, there was no need to fear their retaliation. After a brief discussion, a man pursed his lips and leapt into the arena, drawing gasps from the crowd.

“Look, the guinea pig has arrived.”

Lan Wu Xi remarked playfully, causing Lin Yufei to tilt her head in confusion and ask.

“A guinea pig? What is that?”

The man first bowed to Lin Fengting, who was lightly chuckling nearby, then slowly approached the spiritual energy. Immediately, a considerable amount of spiritual power emanated from his body, revealing him to be a cultivator at the Qi Condensation Peak.

Such strength might impress ordinary people, but in the eyes of Lan Wu Xi and his companions, it was hardly worth mentioning.

“Haha, this spiritual energy is mine!”

A fervent ecstasy bloomed on his face as the man’s eyes gleamed, fixed on the spiritual energy hovering in mid-air. With an air of absolute certainty, he stretched out his hand, using his spiritual power to pull the energy towards him.

Countless primordial energy currents were torn apart by the suction, and he watched as streams of profound energy slowly drifted towards him. The smile on his face widened even further; he was likely already envisioning his glorious future.

“Hmph, fool.”

A strange smirk played on Lin Fengting’s lips, as if mocking the man’s overestimation of his own abilities.

‘It’s definitely not that easy.’

This was the shared thought among those who had chosen to observe from below. Rather than believing in the Lin family’s genuine generosity, they were more inclined to suspect a sinister plot.

Sure enough, the moment the energy currents touched the man’s palm, a violent surge of spiritual energy silently coursed through his hand and into his bones.

A deafening “bang” resounded, and blood splattered everywhere. The man collapsed, groaning in agony on the ground, his arm stained crimson. An severed arm and a writhing body on the ground painted a horrifying scene.

‘It really wasn’t that simple!’

The man’s horrific fate only confirmed the crowd’s suspicions. Everyone instantly felt a surge of relief, grateful they hadn’t acted impulsively.

“Brother!”

Several figures leaped from the audience. One man, bearing a striking resemblance to the injured man, rushed anxiously to his side.

He quickly administered a medicinal pill, and a faint glow immediately appeared on the injured man’s arm, indicating a high-quality healing medicine.

Seeing his brother’s cries of pain subside significantly, the man who had given the pill finally exhaled. His brow furrowed deeply, and his eyes blazed with fury as he turned to Lin Fengting, shouting curses.

“What devilry have you wrought, beast?! If anything happens to my brother, I swear the Duan family will wage an endless war against your Lin family!”

The several individuals beside him stepped forward, their auras erupting. Four Profound Wheel cultivators and one Golden Core cultivator — such a formidable lineup was truly shocking, arguably one of the strongest hidden forces present.

“Hmm? And what, pray tell, are you doing, esteemed guest?”

Lin Fengting’s expression subtly shifted. He hadn’t anticipated provoking someone so formidable. The other party’s accusatory stance made it clear they wouldn’t back down without a satisfactory explanation.

If their Patriarch were here, such a lineup would be nothing to fear, but now…

“You still claim you didn’t tamper with anything? My brother is gravely injured! If you don’t provide a proper explanation, it won’t matter even if your Lin family Patriarch were here!”

“May I ask, esteemed guest, who you are…?”

“The Duan family. Have you heard of them?”

“Oh~, so it’s the two young masters of the Duan family.”

Lin Fengting spoke unhurriedly, his mind already formulating a counter-strategy. The Duan family was considered the strongest outside of the Yun, Lin, and Huang families.

Notably, the two young masters of the Duan family had reached the Qi Condensation Peak and Profound Wheel realms respectively before the age of eighteen, marking them as true prodigies. These must be the two he now faced.

“This has absolutely nothing to do with us, you know.”

Lin Fengting shook his head, feigning an expression of regret.

“It seems your brother’s approach was flawed. After all, the energy contained within ancient spiritual essences is usually incredibly violent. An ordinary person who touches it would immediately be consumed.

“Your esteemed brother, however, directly absorbed the spiritual energy into his body, which naturally led to this unfortunate outcome.”

“Brother, quickly, save me! My chest feels like it’s about to burst open!”

“Brother! What’s wrong, brother?”

Seeing his brother suddenly cry out, clutching his chest and writhing on the ground, the elder brother anxiously knelt down to comfort him.

“Ah, I almost forgot. Although the medicinal pill can alleviate the injury, there’s likely still residual spiritual energy in your esteemed brother’s body.

“If you don’t quickly find an Alchemist to treat him, I fear the consequences could be dire. So… *cough, cough*!”

“You… despicable fiend! The Duan family will remember this day. Let’s go!”

Gritting his teeth, the elder brother, filled with reluctance, turned to help his injured sibling up, then departed with the others.

‘Heh, once this matter concludes, the Duan family is nothing. Even if you don’t come for us, we’ll come to settle things with you.’

Lin Fengting chuckled inwardly, then once again turned to the crowd below with a beaming smile.

“Does anyone else wish to come forward and try? Oh, and that situation just now was merely an accident. As long as your physical body doesn’t directly contact this spiritual energy, I guarantee no such mishaps will occur~”