Chapter 287: Ling Feng's Transformation
Ling Feng's sneer carried through the air. "Zhao, I thought you had some skill, but you couldn't even dodge a single punch. What a piece of trash!"
"Is that so?" Zhao Dong's voice drifted over lazily.
Then, with just a slight tilt of his body, Zhao Dong sidestepped the attack as Ling Feng's fist skimmed past his face. Having put too much force into the blow, Ling Feng lost his balance and stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
"Are you fucking with me?" Ling Feng steadied himself and spun around, his anger boiling over.
Zhao Dong sneered, "You're no match for me. I could let you have the first three moves."
"But if you push your luck, don't blame me for not holding back!"
Enraged and humiliated, Ling Feng retorted, "You worthless trash, still pretending to be tough? You don't know what's good for you!"
With that, Ling Feng launched a sweeping leg, aiming for Zhao Dong's head once again. This time, he used seventy percent of his strength. The terrifying speed tore through the air with a crackling sound. If this kick had landed, even a steel plate would have been snapped in two.
Yet, just as the kick was about to strike, Zhao Dong cleverly dodged it again.
BOOM!
The sweeping leg slammed directly into a nearby marble pillar. A massive crash echoed as the pillar snapped in two, a testament to the kick's tremendous power.
At this, Lin Qingyun's eyes widened. She could clearly feel that Zhao Dong had grown stronger! Her beautiful eyes flickered, her initial worry turning into deep curiosity.
Ling Feng stopped his verbal taunts, the disdain in his eyes replaced by a trace of caution. He didn't rush to attack again, instead starting to circle Zhao Dong.
Finally, he seized the moment Zhao Dong blinked and unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks with his full power, aiming for Zhao Dong's abdomen and head. This time, Ling Feng's speed was incredible. Lin Qingyun couldn't even clearly see his movements before a muffled THUD resounded.
The shockwave made Lin Qingyun squeeze her eyes shut. But when she opened them again, her jaw dropped wide enough to fit a duck egg.
Zhao Dong stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm. Ling Feng, however, was on the ground, his neck pinned under Zhao Dong's foot.
Lin Qingyun was stunned.
How… how is this possible!? How could Zhao Dong defeat her cousin?
Her mind buzzed, and she felt as if everything before her was unreal.
Ling Feng, his neck pinned underfoot, had a face full of disbelief and shock. Zhao Dong exerted slight pressure, his cold eyes like those of a demonic god from the netherworld.
"Still feeling arrogant?"
Those two words seemed to pierce Ling Feng's soul, shattering his pride to pieces.
Ling Feng glared at Zhao Dong, grinding his teeth. His eyes were filled with intense anger, yet also a hint of something complex.
When did Zhao Dong get this strong? At his age, there aren't many who have surpassed me in the entire Provincial City! Could he have been hiding his true strength all this time? I always thought he was trash. But now… It turns out he's a natural talent all along?
For a moment, Ling Feng felt a strange sense of relief.
If he truly possesses such talent, then maybe he is worthy of Lin Qingyun.
Zhao Dong looked down at the silent Ling Feng, then gave a cold smirk and withdrew his foot. Lin Qingyun finally snapped out of her daze and hurried forward to help Ling Feng up.
"Cousin, are you all right?" she asked anxiously.
Ling Feng got up with a dark face and dusted off his clothes. "I'm fine!" He then looked at Zhao Dong and after a few seconds of silence, said, "I didn't realize you actually had some skill. I underestimated you. But even though you're capable, Kou Hongmin is a sixth-level Great Grandmaster. You must not underestimate him."
Zhao Dong was startled, a strange look in his eyes. He felt as if Ling Feng had somehow changed.
Beside them, Lin Qingyun raised an eyebrow. Looking at Ling Feng, she suddenly smiled. "Cousin, don't tell me you've accepted Zhao Dong?"
Ling Feng's mouth twitched, but he replied without batting an eye, "Accepted my ass! I'm just giving him some pointers for your sake! Don't think I actually approve of him!"
Saying this, Ling Feng took an ancient book from within his clothes. "This is a Cultivation Technique I obtained by chance. It's called the Body Transformation Technique, a type of Body Refining Technique. Successfully cultivating it can enhance your qi, blood, and the strength of your flesh by two levels. Take it and study it. It might be useful."
Ling Feng spoke with some reluctance as he handed the Cultivation Technique to Zhao Dong.
Zhao Dong looked at Ling Feng in surprise and scratched his head. "Cousin Ling Feng, you're..."
"What are you hesitating for?" Ling Feng said impatiently. "Just take it."
"Oh!" Zhao Dong took the ancient book and began to flip through it.
"You don't have to rush to read it. I only gave you this technique to give you a bit more confidence," Ling Feng snorted. "My comprehension is quite good, but even I spent three full months learning this. Even if you're a monster, you won't grasp it in less than a month."
Zhao Dong waved his hand. "No matter, I'll just take a casual look."
"Suit yourself." Ling Feng didn't try to stop him. He clutched his aching side and sat down on a nearby sofa.
Lin Qingyun also sat back down, her brow furrowed in thought. The competition was imminent, and she knew Zhao Dong's personality meant he wouldn't back down. She had to think of a way to help him get through this ordeal before then.
Zhao Dong quickly flipped through the pages, his eyes shimmering with growing surprise. The Cultivation Technique was just as Ling Feng had said; it could strengthen one's flesh and blood! This was exactly the weakness he needed to overcome. Overwhelmed with excitement, Zhao Dong said no more, immediately sitting down cross-legged to begin his cultivation.
Seeing this, both Ling Feng and Lin Qingyun were stunned. He was starting to cultivate right now?
「Half an hour later.」
BOOM!
A loud explosion erupted from Zhao Dong's body, followed by a visible, blood-red mist that completely enshrouded him. Agonizing pain surged through him, and his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.
"Ah..."
"Zhao Dong!" Lin Qingyun exclaimed in shock and started to rush forward, but Ling Feng grabbed her arm, stopping her.
Ling Feng stared in a stupor, murmuring, "Don't disturb him! A monster! He's an absolute monster! He deciphered the Body Transformation Technique in just half an hour?"
"What? He deciphered the Body Transformation Technique?" Lin Qingyun let out a cry of alarm.
At that moment, the blood-red mist around Zhao Dong completely dissipated. He slowly stood up, and his joints let out a loud series of crackling pops. On closer inspection, his already robust body now sported many new, sinewy muscles that were prominent but not overly exaggerated. His face, in particular, looked as if it had been carved from stone, giving him a rugged handsomeness.
Zhao Dong threw a punch.
BOOM!
A shockwave exploded from his fist.
"What a powerful Cultivation Technique! With this, I have a much better chance against Kou Hongmin!"
Beside him, Ling Feng looked on with a complicated expression and sighed softly. "Zhao Dong, I truly did underestimate you. Your comprehension is nothing short of genius."
Zhao Dong scratched his head and smiled. "Cousin, you flatter me."
Ling Feng sighed again before adding, "Zhao Dong, don't forget about Xiao Hongtian. It's said that he was already a fifth-level Great Grandmaster a month ago. He might be even stronger now. You need to be extra careful."
At the mention of Xiao Hongtian, the expressions of both Zhao Dong and Lin Qingyun shifted.
Zhao Dong nodded and said softly, "I know, Cousin. I'll be careful."
Lin Qingyun watched all of this unfold, then suddenly grabbed Ling Feng's arm. "Cousin, since you've started helping, you might as well see it through to the end. Why not help Zhao Dong a little more?"
Ling Feng was taken aback. "How can I help? There's nothing I can do!"
Lin Qingyun spoke meaningfully, "Cousin, didn't you come to East Sea to find that Alchemist? Why not get some elixirs for Zhao Dong? Those could save his life."
Ling Feng paused, then realized it made sense. He turned to Zhao Dong and said, "Zhao Dong, why don't you come with me to see that Alchemy Master? I'll try to get some elixirs for you."
Lin Qingyun chimed in, "That's right, Zhao Dong. Go with your cousin."
Zhao Dong scratched his head. He had initially wanted to refuse, but the thought of potentially finding some top-grade elixirs was tempting. He smiled, "All right, then. Thank you very much, Cousin."
Ling Feng waved his hand. "Okay, let's go now. Qingyun, you stay here."
Lin Qingyun nodded and, before they left, reminded Zhao Dong one more time to be careful. With that, Zhao Dong and Ling Feng left together.
「Half an hour later.」
The car stopped outside a bamboo grove on the outskirts of the city. Sunlight filtered through the bamboo, creating flecks of warm, yellow light, and the sound of birdsong filled the air. It was an idyllic spot, hidden away from the world.
Passing through the grove, a bamboo house came into view. Outside the house stood a man-high Pill Furnace. Next to it, an elderly man with white hair wearing a Tang suit was staring intently at the furnace. Wafts of medicinal fragrance drifted from within, refreshing the mind and spirit.
Ling Feng hurried forward and bowed respectfully. "Master Xiang."
Master Xiang turned to look at him. "Oh, young friend Ling Feng?" he asked with a smile, gesturing for Ling Feng to sit. "What brings you to my humble abode today?"
Ling Feng exchanged a few pleasantries, then looked at Zhao Dong. "To be honest, Master Xiang, I came today to ask for a few life-saving elixirs for my friend here."
"A friend?" Master Xiang looked at Zhao Dong and asked, "And who are you?"
"Zhao Dong," he replied calmly.
"Zhao Dong?" Master Xiang's expression instantly darkened. He turned to Ling Feng and said coldly, "Young friend Ling Feng, we have known each other for many years. Have you forgotten my rules?"
"I have three of them: I do not sell to the unremarkable, I do not sell to the incapable, and I do not sell to any but the highest officials and wealthiest merchants!"
"Bringing an unknown person here to request elixirs… Are you trying to insult me?"
"No, no, you've misunderstood! That wasn't my intention at all," Ling Feng explained hurriedly, his attitude extremely humble. "It's just that my friend is in urgent need, which is why I had no choice but to come and beg you for help."
"Hmph! Say no more. Rules are rules. How can they be bent?" Master Xiang declared with a wave of his long sleeve. "Show them out!" With that, he stood up and began to walk away.
Ling Feng started to protest, but Zhao Dong cut him off with a sneer.
"Some bullshit 'three-no-sells' rule. Are you even worthy of being called a master?"
As soon as the words were spoken, Ling Feng froze. Master Xiang also stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned his head, his gaze fixing on Zhao Dong as he spoke in a hoarse voice, "You… say that again?"
Zhao Dong's voice was cold. "I asked if you were worthy."