After Luo Feng finished his meal, he immediately set off for Chaotic Stone Town.

The Chen Family had chosen mining and weapon forging as their path to development. Their family owned a rich vein of Red Flame Crystal Ore, which made them very wealthy, and they had become a considerable power near Chaotic Stone Town. Following the directions provided by the inn's waiter, Luo Feng easily found the Chen Mansion.

Unlike the shabby houses of Chaotic Stone Town, the Chen Mansion looked grand and imposing.

The mansion walls were two zhang high. In front of the vermilion gates stood six sturdy martial artists, three on each side. Their temples protruded high, and their eyes were spirited. All of them possessed cultivation at the sixth level of the God Bravery Realm.

Luo Feng glanced at them and walked towards the gate.

"Who goes there?" Seeing Luo Feng approach, the martial artists guarding the gate stared at him, their aura as fierce as a tiger's.

A sixth-level God Bravery Realm cultivation could make one's eyes gleam with life. Ordinary people would undoubtedly be frightened by such a stare, but it had no effect on Luo Feng.

"Luo Feng from the Purple Sun School, here to complete a mission," Luo Feng stated.

"Luo Feng from the Purple Sun School? Isn't he the champion of this year's New Talent Competition? He's so young?" A square-faced martial artist looked at Luo Feng, his eyes flickering with surprise and skepticism, as if he could hardly believe it.

Luo Feng didn't bother to explain and directly took out the token that represented his identity as an inner court student.

The square-faced martial artist glanced at the token, his eyes flashing slightly. This was indeed a Purple Sun School token.

Handing the token back to Luo Feng with both hands, the square-faced martial artist said respectfully, "Master Luo Feng, our Family Head has been waiting for quite some time. Please, come in!"

Luo Feng paid him no mind, took back his token, and headed into the mansion.

SIGH...

Watching Luo Feng's figure disappear, the square-faced martial artist breathed a sigh of relief. It's a good thing I didn't offend this man, he thought.

A person next to him couldn't resist asking, "Captain Li, is he really the top new talent of the four major schools this year? He's so young."

The square-faced martial artist smiled wryly and said, "These geniuses are beyond our comprehension. In the future, don't judge people by their appearance; otherwise, you'll never know when you might lose your life."

The other martial artists nodded silently.

The buildings within the Chen Mansion were numerous and arranged in a picturesque manner. The courtyards were adorned with rockeries and murmuring streams, exuding an air of wealth and prosperity.

At this moment, the courtyard was quite bustling, with nearly twenty martial artists gathered. These martial artists all emanated an extremely formidable aura; clearly, they were all experts.

Luo Feng was the last to arrive. His eyes swept across the crowd.

Among them, students in blue attire were from the Wanluo School, those in snow-white robes were from the Floating Snow School, and those in jade-colored combat attire were from the Tianlan School. However, there were no students from the Purple Sun School.

There were also a few martial artists in casual dress, slightly older, who were likely rtiad experts.

His gaze fell upon several figures in a corner of the courtyard, and Luo Feng's eyebrows rose in surprise. It was Yuan Kong and his companions, whom he had encountered earlier at the Facing Stone Tavern.

They too noticed Luo Feng. Yuan Kong glanced at him, a profound smile playing on his lips as he said faintly, "Luo Feng, we meet again."

Hearing his voice, everyone's gaze turned towards them.

A middle-aged man, about forty years old, standing at the front, looked at Luo Feng and said, "Young warrior, I am Chen Lingyuan, the Family Head of the Chen Family. Are you also here for the mission?"

Luo Feng nodded and clasped his fist. "Luo Feng, from the Purple Sun School. Greetings, Family Head Chen."

As soon as his words fell, a low murmur rippled through the courtyard. The martial artists present were all slightly stirred.

Some had already recognized Luo Feng as this year's top new talent.

A smile appeared on Chen Lingyuan's face. "So, it is the top new talent! The Chen Family is truly honored by your presence."

"Greetings, Senior Brother Luo Feng!"

Students from the Floating Snow School and Tianlan School greeted Luo Feng one after another.

Luo Feng nodded in acknowledgment.

"HMPH!"

Yuan Kong stood nearby, his face gloomy. Luo Feng was stealing his spotlight, which greatly displeased him.

I'll deal with you later!

Snorting coldly, Yuan Kong looked at Chen Lingyuan and said, "Family Head Chen, let's discuss the mission."

Chen Lingyuan nodded, cleared his throat, and said, "You all generally know the details of the mission. Tomorrow morning, I will arrange for someone to take you to the Red Flame Crystal Ore cave in Black Wind Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Kong asked, "Family Head Chen, why wait until tomorrow morning?"

A grave expression settled on Chen Lingyuan's face. "Black Wind Mountain lies deep within the Chaotic Stone Mountain Range, which is teeming with Demon Beasts. Traveling at night is extremely dangerous!"

"A few Demon Beasts are nothing to fear. If one lacks even this small amount of courage, then what qualification does one have to complete this mission?" Yuan Kong's lips curled into a smirk. His eyes glanced imperceptibly at Luo Feng, his expression arrogant.

"This..."

Chen Lingyuan hadn't expected Yuan Kong to say such a thing, and his brow furrowed.

Students from the Floating Snow School were known for acting without restraint. One of them patted the saber at his waist and laughed, "Well said! We of the Floating Snow School won't lose to anyone!"

"Neither will we," students from Tianlan School chimed in, not wanting to be outdone.

The few rtiad experts remained silent, but the murderous intent emanating from them was a clear indication of their stance.

Chen Lingyuan smiled wryly internally, his gaze shifting to Luo Feng.

Yuan Kong also looked at Luo Feng, a cold smirk on his lips as he taunted, "Luo Feng, as the top new talent, surely you don't lack this bit of courage?"

Luo Feng's gaze was indifferent as he retorted with a cold laugh, "We'll soon see who truly lacks courage."

"I hope you don't wet your pants in fear then," Yuan Kong sneered, casting a cold glance at Luo Feng.

Chen Lingyuan hadn't wanted the group to set out at night, but seeing how things had developed, he knew further persuasion would be futile. He could only say, "Then I'll immediately arrange for someone to guide you. In addition to the announced rewards, those who complete the mission will receive an extra one hundred Yuan Stones from me."

Hearing this, everyone was elated. One hundred Yuan Stones, worth nearly ten thousand taels of gold, was a small fortune.

Chen Lingyuan waved his hand, and soon, a Chen Family martial artist walked over. The man in the lead was burly and robust, taking up the space of two ordinary men. His aura was overpowering, marking him as a mid-stage, eighth-level Hell Realm martial artist.

Chen Lingyuan introduced him, "This is our Chen Family's Headmaster Li Poshi. He will lead you to Black Wind Mountain this time."

Headmaster Li's gaze swept over everyone present, and he nodded. "You can just call me Headmaster Li."

Just as everyone was preparing to depart, Chen Lingyuan added, "Before you set off, let me offer a word of caution. The monster in the mine is no small matter. Two early-stage, ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm masters have already perished. I hope you can form small teams to complete this mission. Don't throw away your lives needlessly."

"Thank you for the warning, Family Head Chen."

Although those present didn't dismiss the Demon Beasts, they felt a degree of apprehension towards the unknown monster in the mine. No one dared to underestimate a being capable of killing early-stage, ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm martial artists.

"Let's go."

Headmaster Li said indifferently and was the first to step forward. Yuan Kong glanced at Luo Feng, then walked out with several people from the Wanluo School.

The students from Floating Snow School and Tianlan School formed their own teams and followed.

Only Luo Feng and three rtiad martial artists remained in the courtyard. Luo Feng rubbed his nose and was about to set off when the sound of footsteps approached.

"You seem to be alone?"

A melodious voice sounded, and a young woman walked up to Luo Feng.

Luo Feng appraised her. The woman appeared to be in her early twenties. She wore a short, snow-velvet jacket, her navel seductively exposed. Her figure was exquisite, her features lovely, and two short knives were secured at her waist. A heroic air emanated from her alluring face, and her beautiful eyes held a restrained glint, revealing her as a late-stage, ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm martial artist.

"Indeed." Luo Feng was momentarily stunned by her beauty, but his expression quickly returned to normal as he nodded.

The young woman flashed an attractive smile, her beautiful eyes twinkling. "This mission seems quite dangerous. Would you like to team up with me?"

Before Luo Feng could answer, two rtiad experts walked over. One of them, a large man carrying a long spear, eyed the young woman and laughed.

"I never thought the renowned Cherry Blossom Knife, Yuan Ying of the rtiad, would actually like such a young brat. Yuan Ying, how about teaming up with us two brothers? We are both mid-stage, ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm masters. No matter what danger we encounter, we can definitely keep you safe."

Cherry Blossom Knife, Yuan Ying?

Luo Feng's brow twitched, and he couldn't help but glance at the young woman beside him, a look of surprise on his face.

Yuan Ying was a legendary woman in the rtiad. She was originally a maidservant in a prominent family, tasked with daily chores like serving tea. In her leisure time, she would observe the family's martial artists training. Through diligent self-study and hard practice, she surprisingly taught herself martial arts, eventually creating a unique Saber Technique using dual knives. She roamed the rtiad, rarely meeting her match, a truly legendary woman.

Yuan Ying looked at the two martial artists, then, smiling sweetly, she pulled Luo Feng closer and said, "I'm truly sorry, but I've already decided to team up with him."

The two martial artists looked at Luo Feng, their eyes filled with envy, and even a hint of jealousy.

Besides her formidable strength, Yuan Ying was also a famous beauty in the rtiad. Both men envied Luo Feng for such good fortune.

Watching the two martial artists walk away, Luo Feng turned to Yuan Ying and asked, "They are both mid-stage, ninth-level Heavenly Court Realm masters. Why did you choose to team up with me?"

Yuan Ying's rosy lips curved upwards into a beautiful smile. "The way you look at me is different from them."

Luo Feng smiled wryly to himself. He hadn't expected that to be the reason.

Seeing Luo Feng remain silent, Yuan Ying's fine, dark brows furrowed slightly. "What, you're not going to agree? Am I truly so lacking in charm?"

"Haha," Luo Feng chuckled. "A beauty's invitation? How could I refuse? As long as you're not afraid I'll slow you down."

"Don't worry, this sister of yours is quite strong."

Seeing Luo Feng agree, Yuan Ying let out a small sigh and offered him a smile.

Noticing that the others had already gone some distance, Luo Feng said, "We should get going too."

Yuan Ying nodded, and the two of them also departed from the Chen Family, following the main group towards Black Wind Mountain.

Along the way, Yuan Ying suddenly said to Luo Feng, "Luo Feng, you must be careful of that person named Yuan Kong. He keeps looking at you, and I'm afraid he harbors ill intentions."

Luo Feng was somewhat surprised; Yuan Ying's observational skills were quite good. He nodded.

Seeing the change in Luo Feng's expression, Yuan Ying patted the twin knives at her waist and said with a charming smile, "Don't worry, this sister of yours is very strong. I'll protect you if it comes to it."

Luo Feng rubbed his nose, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Who will be protecting whom is still uncertain, he thought.

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