The life and death platform in the canyon

In the presence of Lin Feng's boldness, Han Man grinned and spoke: "Good brother, but if this person is killed, we'll bear the consequences together. Am I not worthy of being your companion?"

He naturally understood Lin Feng's intention in killing Jing Feng. It was to distance them, to make them exempt from involvement. At this moment, Han Man genuinely admired Lin Feng. A man of hot blood should bear the weight of the heavens and earth.

"Yes, we'll bear the consequences together. Besides, as long as we're within the Cloud Sea Sect, fellow disciples are prohibited from killing each other. Even if Jing Hao learns that we killed Jing Feng, as long as we don't leave the sect's territory, he can't do anything to us." With matters having reached this point, Qingyi spoke resolutely.

"Count me in." Jingyun smiled, her beauty accentuated by her laughter.

"Very well." Lin Feng felt pleased to have such a friend. Qingyi was right; although the Cloud Sea Sect didn't restrict disciples' actions outside the sect, there were still constraints within the sect. Otherwise, the sect would have descended into chaos long ago.

Squatting down, Lin Feng patted Jing Feng's body and then took out a book, a martial technique.

"Thundering Sword Technique."

In a low voice, Lin Feng opened the martial technique. The Thundering Sword Technique was a high-grade martial technique. When mastered, the sword would resound like thunder with each strike, embodying explosive power.

"The Thundering Sword Technique is a martial technique in the Star Pavilion. Both Jing Feng and his brother cultivated it. It's powerful, but quite difficult to master, especially reaching the realm where the sword sounds like thunder." Qingyi aspired to be a swordsman, hence her familiarity with swordsmanship. She added, "I've also practiced the Thundering Sword Technique, but I haven't quite grasped its essence. Its effectiveness is limited when I use it."

Lin Feng nodded slightly. Currently, he had cultivated three sets of martial techniques: the Nine Waves for offense and defense, the Shadow Step for agility, and the Sword Drawing Technique for lethal strikes. Combining the Thundering Sword Technique with the Nine Waves for offense could be a good choice, while also masking the Sword Drawing Technique.

"Are we heading back now?" Jingyun approached Lin Feng and inquired. By now, everyone viewed Lin Feng as the leader of their group.

"Since we're already here, why rush back? Wouldn't it be better to hunt for more beast cores?" Lin Feng didn't wish to return to the sect so soon. He could use the demonic beasts in the Black Wind Ridge to train himself and simultaneously practice the Thundering Sword Technique.

The other three exchanged smiles and then laughed. With Lin Feng around, as long as they didn't encounter excessively strong demonic beasts, there would be no danger. There was truly no hurry to return.

"I wish we could exchange for some Qi Gathering Pills." Jingyun expressed some anticipation. Qi Gathering Pills were a type of medicine that could enhance a martial artist's cultivation realm. They were especially effective for those in the Qi Martial Realm, but acquiring a Qi Gathering Pill required many beast cores, particularly from high-level demonic beasts.

A glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. With his previous memories, he also knew about Qi Gathering Pills. Although he could easily defeat martial artists at the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm now, his cultivation at the seventh level was still somewhat lacking. If he could enhance his cultivation, perhaps he wouldn't need to rely solely on the Sword Drawing Technique to contend with martial artists at the ninth level of the Qi Martial Realm.

Five days later, amidst the dense forest, sword qi whistled through the air, accompanied by faint thunderous rumbles, astonishingly emanating from the sword qi.

"Boom, boom..." Wherever the sword pointed, trees exploded. A handsome youth wielded a long sword, the sword akin to a startling swan, exuding formidable power.

"To master the Thundering Sword Technique to this extent in five days, this fellow is truly a monster." Qingyi, observing from the side, couldn't help but wryly smile. She was adept with the sword and had also practiced the Thundering Sword Technique, understanding its difficulty. But in just five days, every strike Lin Feng made resounded like thunder, a sign of mastery. Qingyi felt somewhat disheartened.

"Don't compare yourself to Lin Feng. He's merely using this eighth-level demonic beast, the Flowing Cloud Leopard, to practice his swordsmanship." Han Man crossed his arms, watching the battle between Lin Feng and the Flowing Cloud Leopard. It was completely one-sided. What was more infuriating was that Lin Feng could have easily killed the leopard but chose not to, his sword technique elusive. Even with its speed advantage, the Flowing Cloud Leopard couldn't escape.

"Hmph!" With a light sound, Lin Feng's sword pierced the Flowing Cloud Leopard's head, instantly killing it.

Sheathing his sword, Lin Feng was very satisfied with the Thundering Sword Technique. When mastered to this extent, its explosive power surpassed even the Nine Waves technique. Swords, inherently, excelled in attack.

At this moment, Lin Feng stood there, his handsome face displaying clear contours. Compared to when he first arrived in this world, he now exuded a sense of resoluteness and ease, seemingly more mature.

Han Man stepped forward, once again collecting beast cores while murmuring to himself. Initially, he had come to train himself and hunt demonic beasts, but now he was exclusively responsible for collecting the cores. Nonetheless, he harbored no discontent. The demonic beasts Lin Feng hunted were all at the seventh and eighth levels, providing valuable lessons just by observing their battles.

"Han Man, how many Qi Gathering Pills can we exchange for our current beast cores?" Lin Feng pulled Han Man up, who had finished collecting the cores, and inquired.

"At least twelve each." Excitement gleamed in Han Man's eyes. They hadn't expected such a large haul this time, all thanks to Lin Feng. Otherwise, they would have found it difficult to kill even seventh-level demonic beasts.

"Excellent. Each of us will receive three pills, and the remaining beast cores can be exchanged for weapons or money. If there's anything you need, just exchange it. Let's return to the sect now."

For martial artists, Qi Gathering Pills were only effective for the first three doses. The first intake yielded the greatest effect and had the highest probability of breaking through to the next realm. Subsequent intakes would be more challenging.

"Three Qi Gathering Pills." Han Man and the others were delighted. With this, they would have the opportunity to break through to the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm in a short time. At the Cloud Sea Sect, martial artists at the fifth level of the Qi Martial Realm were considered low-ranking, those at the seventh level were only average among outer disciples, and only those at the eighth level could truly be considered competent.

The three of them didn't bother with formalities with Lin Feng. After several days of interaction, they had all come to understand Lin Feng's character: bold and resolute in martial pursuits.

"Let's go back." Saying so, the group headed towards the outskirts of the Black Wind Ridge.

Back at the Elemental Sect, Lin Feng and the others exchanged their beast cores directly. Each received twelve Qi Gathering Pills as they exchanged their beast cores at the Elemental Sect, each person received twelve Qi Gathering Pills, and they also exchanged for a long sword for Lin Feng, a battle axe for Han Man, and two Root-Nourishing Pills for Qingyi. It was evident that Qingyi realized her talent was lacking and her foundation unstable.

Lin Feng was somewhat surprised by Jingyun's choice of items. The Rejuvenating Pill she selected could enhance a woman's charm. While it was normal for women who practiced bewitching techniques to use such pills, Jingyun was clearly not that kind of person. She appeared very pure, which made Lin Feng wonder why she chose the Rejuvenating Pill.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jingyun blushed slightly, lowering her head as she asked.

"It's nothing. I'm just a bit surprised. You're already very beautiful," Lin Feng replied awkwardly, laughing it off. Since Jingyun chose the Rejuvenating Pill, he wouldn't interfere.

"Lin Feng, what do you plan to do next?" Han Man asked. If there was an opportunity, he wanted to go to the Black Wind Ridge with Lin Feng again.

"Let's first improve our cultivation. I feel that being at the seventh level of the Qi Martial Realm is a bit low," Lin Feng responded.

"Indeed, we all need to improve our cultivation. Lin Feng, with your current strength, you can completely go and train there," Han Man nodded, then pointed to a distant place. There lay a massive gorge, the most famous place in the Cloud Sea Sect, the Wind and Cloud Gorge.

The Eight-Pillar Supporting Heaven Peak surrounded the Cloud Sea Sect, and the Wind and Cloud Gorge was located at its center, sinking deep underground and spanning a vast area. It was divided into several large regions, resembling an underground city. The terrain inside was extremely complex. While you could see many scenes from above, once you entered the gorge, it was a different world. You might find yourself in a forest or on a mountain.

The Cloud Sea Sect encouraged its disciples to train through combat. Apart from the dangerous Black Wind Ridge, the sect had also opened up the vast Wind and Cloud Gorge. Once you stepped into the gorge, regardless of your identity or relationships, you could freely challenge anyone. It was a stage for the strong, and once a weak person entered, defeat was almost certain.

Therefore, in the Cloud Sea Sect, those below the eighth level of the Qi Martial Realm generally dared not set foot in the Wind and Cloud Gorge.

Additionally, the Wind and Cloud Gorge had a place called the Life and Death Platform. If you willingly stepped onto it, life and death were fated. Even if you were killed, the sect would not interfere. Of course, if you were strong enough, you could also kill others.

If there were individuals within the sect with irreconcilable grievances, they could step onto the Life and Death Platform to settle their scores.

"I will definitely go there." Lin Feng looked at the crowd around the Wind and Cloud Gorge, his eyes shining with a different light. The previous Lin Feng, with only the fifth level of the Qi Martial Realm, was considered a waste, only able to stand above the gorge and envy those fighting inside.